Sewickley Heights hires full-time police officer, bringing force to 4

Sewickley Heights council officially welcomed the borough’s fourth full-time officer to the police force during its Monday meeting.

Kayla Pavicic, 25, of Oakdale, will work full-time with the borough’s force. Council unanimously approved the hire.

Her salary is set at $72,362.

After four years, she will earn the force’s top rate pay, which is $96,485.

“We’re very, very pleased with Kayla’s performance,” said Mayor John Oliver. “She’s been with us several months now and she’s an outstanding officer. We’re delighted to have her on board.”

Police chief JJ Harrison said Pavicic was hired as a part-time officer in July 2019, after she graduated from the Allegheny County Police Academy.

A 2013 graduate of West Allegheny High School, she graduated from West Virginia University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in criminology.

She was officially hired onto the force full-time in June, at which point she began a standard six-month probationary period. But Harrison said her time while working as a part-time officer qualified her to finish that probationary period sooner.

“We’re definitely happy to retain her as a full-time officer. We’re looking forward to many years with her,” Harrison said.

The chief said the addition brings the borough’s force up to four full-time officers, along with three part-time officers.

He does not expect to hire additional full-time officers this year.